APPRENTICESHIP GUIDE
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What can an apprenticeship do for you?
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Apprenticeships explained
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What entry requirements do I need?
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Apprenticeships we offer
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How we’ll support you
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What next?
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How to find your own apprenticeship
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WELCOME Are you considering an apprenticeship programme? Stockton Riverside College offers apprenticeships across a range of industries. Training and development are provided by our trainers and assessors who are all industry experts in their fields.
WHAT CAN AN APPRENTICESHIP DO FOR YOU?
Did y o 77% u know th of ap at pre stay w ith th ntices e sam empl e oyer a fter finish appre ing their ntice ship?
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Earn a salary whilst gaining valuable work skills.
Develop your skills, knowledge and behaviours to specialise in your chosen field and stand out from the crowd.
Develop strong working relationships with employers to broaden your career prospects.
Increase your future earning potential.
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APPRENTICESHIPS EXPLAINED HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? Throughout your apprenticeship you will be visited in the workplace by your assessor. This is an individual assigned to you to support you through your apprenticeship and give you any advice that you may need. Apprenticeships now include an end-point assessment which varies depending on the apprenticeship but could include: • A multiple-choice short answer test • An observation of practice which is undertaken in the workplace • A learning journal to reflect on the last three months of your apprenticeship • A presentation You will be supported throughout the process by your assessor. You will be supported throughout the process by your assessor. If your apprenticeship does not involve an end-point assessment, you will be assessed in the workplace by your allocated assessor
Employment Rights and Responsibilities
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
The purpose of Employment Rights and Responsibilities is to ensure that the apprentice has knowledge and understanding of:
Groups of skills covering the following:
• Their legal rights responsibilities, and those of their employer • The variety of career opportunities and progression routes available to them
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• Creative thinking • Effective participation • Reflective learning • Self-management • Team work
HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID? Apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage. The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £4.30 per hour. This rate applies to apprentices under 19 and those 19+ who are in their first year. Please visit: www.gov. uk/national-minimum-wage for more information. Apprentices are entitled to 20 days of annual leave per year. This excludes bank holidays.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT If you do not hold GCSEs in maths and English (and ICT where required) or cannot provide certificated evidence of having achieved, you will have to complete functional skills qualifications as part of your apprenticeship. Functional skills are “the English, maths and ICT skills that individuals need to operate confidently, effectively and independently”
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? Depending on the level and occupation, your apprenticeship can last between 1 and 4 years. The duration will be agreed between you, your employer and your assessor.
CURRENT RATES As an apprentice you are entitled to a minimum wage which is determined by your age, and the stage you are at in your apprenticeship. Age
wage 1st Year
wage 2nd Year
16-18 18-20 21-22 23+
£4.30 £4.30 £4.30 £4.30
£4.62 £6.56 £8.36 £8.91
*Please note the minimum wage is subject to change
EXAMPLE An apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £4.30. Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they have completed the first year of their apprenticeship.
EXAMPLE An apprentice aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £8.36.
WILL I HAVE TO ATTEND COLLEGE? Depending on the apprenticeship you have chosen you may be required to attend college weekly. This will be discussed with your assessor. Apprenticeships are about upskilling an individual, and achieving occupational competency takes time.
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WHAT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS DO I NEED? Some apprenticeships require a good level of English, maths and/or ICT. Our initial assessment and your GCSE results will help inform us of your ability and what support we can offer to get you to the level required. You must: • Be at least 16 • Be a UK resident • Be employed to complete an apprenticeship
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APPRENTICESHIPS WE OFFER Stockton Riverside College offer apprenticeships from level 2 to 5 in:
Business and Professional Industries
Care
Construction
Digital and Creative media
Hairdressing
Education
Logistics
Motor Vehicle
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HOW WE’LL SUPPORT YOU We want all of our apprentices to enjoy their time with us, so we offer a range of services to make sure you’ll always feel comfortable and supported.
EXPERT ASSESSOR
YOUR SAFETY
At all campuses we have a team of safeguarding staff to protect all of our students and apprentices to ensure personal safety. Your safety is our priority.
You’ll be assigned your own assessor who will support you through your apprenticeship. All of our assessors are experts in their field, so they are able to give you the support and advice that you need.
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
We value the diversity of our college community and we are committed to inclusion for all in everything we do.
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WHAT NEXT?
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APPLY ONLINE
Whether you're still in school or ready to start an apprenticeship now, you can find all our live apprenticeship vacancies on our website www.stockton.ac.uk/apprenticeships or you can apply through the National Apprenticeship Service, www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.
PRE-INTERVIEW
When we receive your application, we will invite you into the college for an informal information session to ask why you have applied for an apprenticeship and what kind of roles you would be interested in. You will also be asked to complete a short English and maths assessment to make sure you’re applying for the right level of apprenticeship. Note: if you do not attend this session, your application will not progress any further.
INVITE TO INTERVIEW
Your application will then be passed onto the employer who will shortlist applicants for an interview. Don't worry if you're not selected, you may be given the opportunity to join the equivalent study programme and we will put you forward for any apprenticeship vacancies that come up.
BEGIN YOUR APPRENTICESHIP
If you’ve been successful at interview, you’ll be contacted with a start date and time. If you have any queries at any stage of the application process, the apprenticeship team is here to help. Call: 01642 865 557 or email: recruitment@the-etc.ac.uk
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HOW TO FIND YOUR OWN APPRENTICESHIP Research What kind of apprenticeship do you want to do? Conduct research online to find out more about the businesses in your local area.
Go for it You've done your research and now it's time to speak to employers. Make sure you look the part and be polite!
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Prepare Now you have your list of employers, get in touch with them by email, phone, or in person. Don't forget to have your CV ready.
What's next? Let us know if you have successfully secured an apprenticeship. If not, keep trying and check the National Apprenticeship Service website for vacancies.
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Harvard Avenue, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6FB Tel: 01642 865 557 Email: recruitment@the-etc.ac.uk www.stockton.ac.uk
